Animal diplomacy
Lions, bears, yaks: Russia donates numerous zoo animals to North Korea
The zoo in North Korea’s capital Pyongyang is receiving masses of offspring: 70 exotic animals come from Russia – a gift from the Russian president to dictator Kim Jong Un.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has given North Korea and its dictator Kim Jong Un more than 70 exotic animals from the Moscow Zoo. These include a lion, 2 brown bears and yaks – a type of cattle -, 5 white cockatoos, 25 pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks, the Internet portal Fontanka reported on Wednesday about the act of animal diplomacy, which is still being hotly debated in Russia the following day. Internet media outlets critical of the Kremlin in particular are writing about a “barter deal” since, according to Western secret services, North Korea had previously sent more than 10,000 soldiers to the war zone on Russia’s border with Ukraine.
The animals that Russia’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov brought with him by plane as part of his trip to North Korea will live in the Pyongyang Zoo in the future. Koslow spoke of a new “landmark in cooperation” between the two countries. This is not the first animal gift from the Russians to North Korea. Around 40 birds, including sea and golden eagles, were said to have gone to the zoo in the North Korean capital in April. This kind of diplomacy is not uncommon. China primarily uses panda bears as gifts to express friendly relationships.
Dictator Chic: The style of the autocrats
Kim Jong-un, North Korea
Kim Jong-un is certainly the current ruler who has most effectively styled himself into a pop icon. The way there was easy: distinctive hairstyle, Mao suit. However, the classic worker suit is a bit pimped up for him. Sometimes he wears it in elegant, shimmering black, sometimes decorated with discreet pinstripes. It always fits perfectly. Kim inherited his hairstyle and dress code from his grandfather, the North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, who is still very popular among the people. The grandson hopes to secure his power with the help of these fashionable echoes of a revered ancestor.
© Kristina Kormilitsyna / Picture Alliance
Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea
Russia and North Korea have moved closer against the backdrop of sanctions imposed on both countries. However, it is primarily military cooperation that has come under criticism. Pyongyang is said to have not only supplied Moscow with artillery weapons and rockets, but also sent up to 50,000 soldiers to the neighboring country. The number could rise to up to 100,000, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently warned.
The soldiers would be trained in Russia to fight against Ukrainian troops. The first clashes have already taken place, Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence sources said.
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
